5/12/08

USA Fave Things #2

'Drive through banking', just absolute genius and I love it.

I know why we don't have these generally in the UK, we just don't have the space as our towns are all laid out around a main street, the buildings are older and all built closely together.

But not only is there the convenience of not having to exit your vehicle, but it's also safer than using a walk-up ATM, where anyone could creep up behind you. Where I am they even have wider lanes for Pickups, I have no idea if this is normal across the whole USA?

For my Brit readers - basically they will have an extended covered area to the side or rear of the bank. There will be a couple of lanes for customers to pull up in, you press a button and the cashier appears on the little TV screen and speaks to you. Then you put your banking in the shute and off it whizzes to the cashier. A minute or so later, you are done and get back your receipt or cash. Bloody brilliant and most banks also have a drive up ATM for when the drive through banking lanes are closed after hours!

It doesn't end there though - Walgreens a major pharmacy/chemist (like Boots) also has a drive through for collecting your prescription! All I need now is a drive through shoe/handbag shop and I will be officially in heaven :-)

14 comments:

Katrina Chambers said...

What? Drive through banking?? That is the best invention ever! We don't have them here either so I would love to see one LOL!!!

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

That's brilliant!!!!

So many things like that they have in America which would make life so much easier in the UK!

Victoria x

Almost American said...

And then there are the drive-thru liquor stores in some states, and the drive-thru marriage chapels in Las Vegas . . . I blogged on this topic too a couple of months ago.

Stacy at Exceedingly Mundane said...

I love drive-through banking and ATM's too. Unfortunately, the bank we use here just merged with another one, and they have teller-less drive through at most branches. Don't get me wrong, you can still drive through and use the automatic chute tube things, but I like pulling up to the window and seeing a person and talking to a "real" person :)

It's something common now, but I remember the days here when you couldn't drive up to the gas pump and pay. You had to get out, go inside and pay with cash or a credit card. I think "paying at the pump" is one of the greatest things ever, and I'm so glad we have that most everywhere now. Not like "the good ole days"! :)

Pam said...

john thinks it is being lazy to use the drive-thru but he was never a single mom with a kid in the car, either. the drive-thru pharmacy is a fave of mine also.

only problem is those folks who have 19 transactions when they go to the drive-thru bank ... why don't those people go inside? haha

Janet said...

It would seem that I'm in a minority, but personally, I don't like drive-through anything. I would much rather go inside, bank, chemist, store, and interact with real people.

People in Oklahoma are so friendly, I like to know what's going on with them, and they are usually more than happy to chew the fat for a while.

Daryl said...

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www.acloseknitfamily.com

Here in NYC we aint go drive thru nuttin!

:-Daryl

Expat mum said...

We've even managed to squeeze a few drive-thru banks into downtown Chicago, although I only ever use the ATM and haven't done the whizzing tube thing. We don't have drive-thru liquor stores here, although there were some when I lived in Texas. What we do have though, is a bar round the corner that will VALIDATE YOUR PARKING. How about that for encouraging drink/driving?

Vickie said...

Sarah: The funniest drive-thru concept has to be drive-thru liquor stores. I've only seen them for sure in Texas, but it just boggles my cranium! OR in Las Vegas for the drive-thru wedding ceremony!! DH heartily concurred with us getting hitched in Vegas, but totally nixed the idea of the drive-thru....maybe for our vow renewal....or I will get the Elvis impersonator this time.

Tess Kincaid said...

Those drive throughs sure made it easy when I had a car full of little kids. So convenient. But, I wish we Americans were forced to walk a bit more. We would all be much healthier.

Julie said...

It is awesome, but have you noticed the braille dots on the buttons? Do you really suppose blind people are using the drive through ATM's?

Unknown said...

Ok drive-thru Liquor stores! Only in Texas!

Julie - no I hadn't noticed I'll be looking next time though.

GLad to see most of us love them, Janet you friendly soul :-)

Anonymous said...

Funny what we take for granted and assume the rest of the world enjoys, isn't it? LOL In the college town where Brad and I met and married, they also had a drive through "Beer Barn" It was a metal "barn" with a driveway through the middle. You literally drove through the center of the building and bought beer without getting out of the car. Or so I'm told. I have actually never been in it, only saw it from a distance.

Wendy Hill said...

Yes, drive-thru banking and pharmacies are wonderful for mothers with small children. It is so much easier than going in with a 3 & 1 year old. Plus, on those drives home from the Emergency room, they often already have the meds ready, so I can just drive through and get home quicker!